Excerpts from the DailyHerald.com:
Carol Stream Fire Chief Rick Kolomay is set to retire after nearly 37 years of service, citing ongoing health issues that have made it difficult for him to continue in his role. He has been on medical leave since December and recently underwent shoulder surgery, according to officials.
Kolomay, who has served as fire chief since 2009, has been a key figure in shaping the department’s culture, emphasizing training and unity among firefighters. His retirement comes as a surprise to many, including himself, according to Fire District Trustee Rick Fisher.
The board has yet to name a successor, and Kolomay’s final day with the fire protection district remains undetermined. The board of trustees will discuss his retirement at their meeting on February 15. Historically, the top position has been filled internally within the 15-square-mile district, which covers Carol Stream and parts of Bloomingdale, Winfield, and Glendale Heights.
In his absence, Deputy Fire Chief Bob Hoff has been managing the district's operations. Hoff, a former Chicago Fire Department commissioner, was hired in 2012 following his resignation from the city's second-largest fire department. He oversees firefighter training and fitness programs.
Meanwhile, former Deputy Chief Perry Johnson transitioned to a new civilian role focused on financial management and fire prevention. Hoff and Kolomay first met in 1985 when Hoff was a student in one of Kolomay’s classes at the state fire academy.
Kolomay began his career in 1979 and returned to the district less than a decade ago after serving for 23 years with the Schaumburg Fire Department. He was promoted to interim chief in 2009 and later became chief permanently.
A third-generation firefighter, Kolomay helped build a more cohesive and professional environment within the department. According to Rick Bonk, president of the Carol Stream Firefighters Association Local 3192, Kolomay significantly raised the level of firefighting expertise in the district.
He also played a major role in establishing a regional alliance of neighboring fire agencies, aimed at improving efficiency and resource sharing. Since its launch in 2012, the group has implemented standardized procedures for responding to fires, replacing previous fragmented protocols.
Reflecting on his long career, Kolomay noted that he had a "good run" that almost matched the tenure of his father, a longtime Chicago firefighter.
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